LITCHFIELD - Family Day at Oliver Wolcott Library will be held on Saturday Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Caldecott Honor winning author Nancy Tafuri will be reading her latest book The Big Storm. Tafuri has authored more than forty-five books for children. Books will be available for purchase from Hickory Stick Bookshop and Tafuri will be available for signing. After the reading, children can decorate gingerbread cookies with various festive ingredients and Vanilla Swirl the Balloon Man will be making balloon animals and shapes for all who want them. Program is open for all ages and registration is recommended. For more information call 567-8030.

TORRINGTON - Nirvana Cafe and Juice Bar, 81 Main Street, presents Conscious Evolution on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
If you’ve ever wanted to get a glimpse into Quantum Physics and the True Nature of Reality, this film will be an easy to understand and entertaining way. We’ll watch the 100 minute film and have discussion about what we’ve learned. Donations appreciated (but not required). For more information call 201-4904.

GOSHEN - The Goshen Festival Singers Annual Christmas Feast and Song presentation on Dec. 11, 12, 19, at 6:30 p.m. Come and enjoy a gourmet dinner and listen to harmonious sacred and secular Christmas music at the Goshen Congregational Church Parish Hall.
Tickets are $25 and are required, so call 491-2793 for reservations. This will be a wonderful and warm way to celebrate Christmas. Don’t miss out!

BURLINGTON - The 24th annual Carol Sing will be held on the green in the new gazebo in the center, sponsored by the Park and Recreation Department and the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department on Dec. 9, at 7:30, (rain and snow location at Fire Station 1 George Washington Turnpike). Lewis Mills Band will play in the gazebo, a surprise visit by Santa on the Fire Truck handing out candy canes, cookies and hot chocolate. Elton Tavern will be open, carolers are welcome. Admission is a nonperishable item for the local food bank.

SALISBURY - The Salisbury Association Presents: " A Victorian Christmas Concert" on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m., at the The Academy Building, 24 Main Street with Judith Dansker- Oboe and Recorders, Daniel Swenberg- Lute, Theorbo and Guitar, Philip Anderson- Tenor Renaissance , Baroque and Classical Works and Music of the Season. Tickets are $ 20. For reservations please call 435-0566. Space is limited, reserve your seats early!

LITCHFIELD - Get in the holiday spirit with a harp performance at Oliver Wolcott Library on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Harpist Wendy Kerner Lucas will perform music from around the world, Medieval times to the present, including favorite carols and works by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and Benjamin Britten.
For more information call 567-8030.

TORRINGTON - The A.F.M.A. presents a Country Western dance from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Cornucopia hall. The band is Northeast Country, cash bar available. Admission is $11 each. Open to the public. For more information call 689-1967.

FLUTE SERVICE
BANTAM - Joseph Firecrow perhaps the best known native American musician in the country, will be at St. Paul’s Church, 802 Bantam Road, on Dec. 6, at the 10 a.m. service. He will play a hand-craft flute and will provide an assortment of music.

NEW HARTFORD - The New Hartford Woman’s Club will once again hold its annual "Breakfast With Santa" on Sunday Dec. 6, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Ann Antolini School in New Hartford (Snow Date: Dec. 13).
Admission for this "all you can eat pancakes and sausage" breakfast will be $4 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Tickets will be sold at the door with proceeds benefiting community services and scholarships. We will also be hosting a Bake Sale and Raffle Table with many fantastic items. Please plan to join the fun, have your picture taken with Santa, and enjoy breakfast. For further information call 738-4535.

LITCHFIELD - A Gathering of Exceptional Poets Reading from their Books will be held on Dec. 5, at 2 p.m., at the White Memorial Conservation Center Carriage House, 80 Whitehall Road. In this coffee house style event six poets will read from their books and hold an open discussion on the process of writing poems. A book signing will follow the reading and discussion. The authors are Cortney Davis, Jim Kelleher, Norah Pollard, David Leff, Cheryl Della Pelle, and Jean Sands. Admission is free. For more information call White Memorial Conservation Center at 567-0857 or online at info@whitememorial.org. or Jean Sands at 485-9522 or online at jeansands@sbcglobal.net.

WASHINGTON - The eighth annual Festival of Trees Cocktail Party to benefit the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The community is invited to launch the holiday season by attending this year’s event. The suggested donation for the cocktail party is $12 per person or $20 per couple. On Saturday, Dec. 5th there will be no charge to view the trees from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please call the library for further information and to purchase tickets at 868-7586 or email gunnlib@biblio.org. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the event. The Gunn Memorial Library is located on the Green in Washington, at the juncture of Route 47 and Wykeham Road.

BARKHAMSTED - The Barkhamsted Historical Society will host for the third year Christmas at the Tavern featuring Patti Kierys who will present a talk on Christmas traditions of the 1800’s. Come get ready for the season during the Historical Society’s Holiday Social on Saturday Dec. 5 and Sunday Dec. 6. The Tavern will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. both days with her talk beginning at 1:30 p.m. Due to space constraints and the popularity of her program, reservations are recommended and a donation of $5. To make reservations call Charlie 379-7362. The Christmas exhibit will run through Jan. 2, 2010. Squires’ Tavern is located on East River Road in Barkhamsted and is open Wednesdays 9 a.m. to noon and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. For more information call Noreen Watson 738-1152

BETHLEHEM - Bethlehem’s Christmas Town Festival will be held on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. The annual tree lighting will be held Friday night at 6 p.m. the festival includes sales, food, caroling, hayrides and plenty of chances to have holiday cards postmarked at the Post Office. Friday’s festival hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.christmastownfestival.com for a complete schedule of events.

RIVERTON - Christmas in Riverton will be held on Dec. 4, 5, 6. Tree Lighting will be held on Dec. 4, around 7 p.m. Festivities continue all three days, with crafts for children and adults, performances of "A Christmas Carol," food and other activities. Visit www.rivertonct.com for a complete schedule.

TORRINGTON - The Torrington High School Student Theatre will be presenting the timeless classic, It’s A Wonderful Life."
Performances will be given on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Torrington High School Little Theatre. Admission on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is $8; senior citizens and children, $5; on Sunday, Dec. 6, admission is $5; children under 5, free.